Vet Tech Programs in New York

How to Become a Vet Tech in New York

One of the advantages of becoming a vet tech is the relatively accelerated pace of the curriculum. Compared to the more costly and time-consuming eight years a veterinarian can expect to spend in postsecondary school, vet techs in New York can complete their programs in 18 months to two years.

Here are the typical steps to becoming a vet tech in New York:

• Step 1: Graduate from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or a program registered by the New York State Education Department. Vet tech schools in NY offer programs that typically take two years to complete, but some can be completed in 18 months. Some of the typical prerequisites for these programs are high school-level math and science classes (e.g., algebra I/II, geometry, trigonometry, biology, and chemistry). These associate of science (AS) or associate of applied science (AAS) degree programs teach skills such as animal nursing care, laboratory analyses, anesthesia, nutritional management, dental hygiene, and radiographic imaging. Some students may seek more advanced training in electives which can prepare them for various specializations, including veterinary behavior, clinical pathology, and zoological medicine.
• Step 2: Pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). The VTNE, a test offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), is the primary exam necessary for licensure in New York. The exam is offered during three one-month windows per year. Please note that students may register for this exam up to six months prior to graduation from an approved vet tech school.
• Step 3: Apply for New York State licensure or a limited permit. In order to practice as a veterinary technician in New York, candidates must have a valid license. In addition to graduating from one of the accredited vet tech schools in New York and passing the VTNE, these aspiring veterinary professionals must complete the application, submit $177, and send their test scores. In the state of New York, a candidate who has not completed the VTNE may apply for a limited, one-year permit to practice under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian. Check the New York State Education Department website for details.

For animal lovers eager to get their careers started in 18 months, attending one of the accredited veterinary technician schools in New York can be a great first step.

Strong Outlook for Vet Tech Jobs in New York

The future looks very strong for veterinary technicians in New York. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2022) predicted that openings in this profession will grow 20 percent between 2021 and 2031, much faster than the average projected for all occupations (5 percent). With this growth in new jobs, the field of veterinary technology is strong nationally and in NY state. According to CareerOneStop (2022), the anticipated growth rate for vet techs in the state between 2020 and 2030 is 18 percent.

For those who graduate from one of the accredited vet tech schools in New York, there are employment opportunities across a variety of environments, including animal hospitals, small clinics, zoos, universities, biomedical research facilities, farms, and more. According to Indeed (August 2023), vet techs have opportunities to find jobs in New York at places like NYU Langone, Symphony Veterinary Center, Mission Veterinary Partners, Veterinary Emergency Group, CareVet, Pioneer Paws Veterinary Clinic, and BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital.

New York also has several agencies and groups available for vet techs, including the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians (NYSAVT), and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). Both of these agencies can be excellent resources for vet techs, both current and aspiring, offering student chapters, community bulletin boards, continuing education opportunities, job posts, events, and other useful material. Students at vet tech schools in NY may want to consider becoming members.

Vet Tech Salaries in New York – How Much Do Vet Techs Make?

In addition to a strong occupational outlook, New York boasts salaries that are higher than the national average. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics (May 2022), the 118,750 vet techs across the nation earned an average annual salary of $40,770. In comparison, the 4,970 vet techs working in New York earned $49,880 per year. which exceeds the national average for this occupation by nearly $10,000.

The following chart illustrates earning potential for vet techs in New York at various earning percentiles, compared to national figures:

When considering earning potential, the cost of living is a key piece of the puzzle. The higher salaries for vet techs in New York may be due to the higher cost of living in the state. According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), in August 2023, New York had the fifth-highest cost of living in the United States. While costs of utilities are average, the cost of everything else, especially housing, will be higher than average for New York residents.

Accredited Vet Tech Programs in New York

Vet techs must be licensed in New York to practice in the state, and this means they must attend an accredited program. The main accrediting body is the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), which operates through the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Students must attend a CVTEA-accredited program or one approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) or the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).

The state of New York currently has 10 schools offering CVTEA-accredited vet tech programs to students who want to enter the field, some of which are offered through the same system or at multiple campuses. The following provides a breakdown of each program in the state:

Alfred State College of Technology

Alfred State College of Technology in Alfred, NY, features a two-year program that leads to an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology. Courses in this program include an introduction to animal science; anatomy and physiology of animals; animal healthcare; farm animal management; radiography; principles of microbiology; anesthesia and surgical nursing; and more. Students also complete a preceptorship of 240 hours at an approved facility.

Notably, graduates may enter the four-year BTech or technology management BBA degree programs. The school had an 81.6 percent passing rate among its graduates on the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) between 2020 to 2023.

• Location: Alfred, NY
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four semesters
• Estimated Tuition: New York state resident ($29,408 total); non-New York state resident ($33,658 total)

Genesee Community College

Genesee Community College offers an AAS degree in veterinary technology. The program can be completed in two full-time years and includes three externships and several labs for hands-on training. Courses in this program include small animal pathology and nursing; large animal pathology and nursing; veterinary radiology and dentistry; veterinary parasitology; veterinary nutrition; and animal anatomy and physiology.

Students considering moving on to a four-year program should work with the Transfer Services Office as there are several programs available at other SUNY institutions. The first-time pass rate on the VTNE between 2020 and 2023 was 86.05 percent.

• Location: Batavia, NY
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: New York state resident ($215 per credit); non-New York state resident ($240 per credit)

LaGuardia Community College

LaGuardia Community College–part of the City University of New York system (CUNY)–offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology, located in Long Island City. Students complete 65 credits with classes that cover veterinary nursing, radiology, farm animal nursing, pathophysiology, pharmacology and toxicology, exotic animal medical care, and more.

Students complete two, ten-week vet tech internships, as well as gain hands-on knowledge through labs. La Guardia boasts small class sizes and an 86.25 percent VTNE first-time pass rate between 2020 and 2023.

• Location: Long Island City, NY
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: NYC residents ($4,800 per year); out-of-city/state sesidents ($9,600 per year)

Long Island University

Long Island University offers a bachelor of science in veterinary technology program providing students with a solid educational foundation in science and the liberal arts and comprehensive veterinary technology coursework. Students in this program will acquire more than 500 hours of hands-on clinical experience, in shelters, small clinics, and large hospital environments. They will be expected to meet performance standards in externships and laboratories and academic standards in class.

Comprising 120 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to veterinary sciences; veterinary hospital procedures and practice; anatomy and physiology of domestic animals; veterinary pharmacology and toxicology; veterinary nursing; large animal health, diseases and nursing; animal behavior; veterinary disease and parasitology; and veterinary dentistry and nutrition.

• Location: Brookville, NY
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
• Estimated Tuition: $1,231 per credit

Mercy College

Mercy College offers a 120-credit bachelor of science (BS) degree in veterinary technology at their Dobbs Ferry campus. In addition to general education requirements, program-specific courses include animal handling and restraint; physiology of domestic animals; principles of large animal medicine; applied clinical veterinary nursing; applied animal behavior; pharmacology & toxicology; and more.

Students also complete several labs and two 360-hour externships to meet hands-on requirements. Externship focuses include surgical nursing and anesthesia, small animal internal medicine, exotic animal medicine, zoo animal medicine and surgery, and more. Impressively, graduates of this program had a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the VTNE from 2020 to 2023.

• Location: Dobbs Ferry, NY
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
• Estimated Tuition: $22,106 per year

State University of New York (SUNY) Canton

The State University of New York (SUNY) Canton offers an associate degree in applied science (AAS) for vet techs. Upon completion of the AAS degree, students can start their professional credentialing process or transfer into a four-year bachelor of science in veterinary technology or bachelor of technology in veterinary services management programs.

The SUNY Canton program combines rigorous didactic instruction, small lab sections of approximately 20 students, and state-of-the-art facilities. Two 120-hour preceptorships are required with hands-on experience taking place at a location of the student’s choosing and subject to the approval of the program supervisor.

The program includes courses such as animal care institution management; veterinary practice management; veterinary business and financial management; the human-animal bond; fundamental veterinary nursing skills; and companion animal behavior. Canton State University boasted an 90 percent pass rate among its graduates on the VTNE in the past five years.

• Location: Canton, NY
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: NY residents ($295 per credit); Out-of-State ($458 per credit)

State University of New York (SUNY) Delhi

Delhi State University of New York is another SUNY system university that offers a two-year program that leads to an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology. This fully accredited college gives students the opportunity to learn about the theory and principles behind veterinary science and offers hands-on experience with animals every semester.

Courses in this program include small animal care and nursing; large animal care; introduction to research animal techniques; pathology and parasitology; applied clinical nutrition; farm animal nursing; and more. Students also complete two preceptorships. The program is made up of 64 credits.

The faculty consists of veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians with a wealth of experience in the field. Vet tech students who successfully complete the AAS can transfer into Delhi’s BS in veterinary technology program. The school also had a 77 percent passing rate among its graduates on the VTNE between 2018 to 2021.

• Location: Delhi, NY
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: In-state ($295 per credit); Out-of-State ($452 per credit)

Suffolk County Community College (SUNY)

Suffolk County Community College is another good choice in the SUNY system, leading students to an associate degree in applied science (AAS) in veterinary technology at the Brentwood, NY campus. The school also has full AVMA accreditation, so students are eligible to sit for the VTNE and New York State Education Department licensure procedures once they complete their training. This is a full-time, two-year, day program that begins in the fall.

The program covers a wide range of areas including farm animal nursing; anatomy and physiology of domestic animals; veterinary practice management; pharmacy and pharmacology; diagnostic imaging; clinical laboratory techniques; success in veterinary science technology; and more. The program comprises 64 credits.

As in all accredited programs, students complete two 120-hour clinical internships to meet the 240-hour requirement. Between 2019 and 2022, 67 percent of Suffolk vet tech graduates passed the VTNE on their first attempt.

• Location: Brentwood, NY
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: residents ($2,820 per semester); non-residents ($5,640 per semester)

Ulster County Community College (SUNY)

Ulster County Community College is another SUNY school that offers an AAS degree. The program consists of 64 credits and includes courses such as veterinary clinical calculations; veterinary medical terminology; small animal diseases and nursing; veterinary diagnostic imaging; restraint and handling; and veterinary anesthesia and pharmacology.

Students attend a six-day Farm Camp at SUNY Delhi that counts as their large animal laboratory experience, as well as a two-day Research Animal Technology Camp at the same location. Between 2020 and 2023, 64.62 percent of vet tech graduates from Ulster who took the VTNE passed on their first attempt.

• Location: Stone Ridge, NY
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: residents ($2,640 per semester); non-residents ($5,280 per semester)

Westchester Community College (SUNY)

Finally on the list of SUNY institutions is Westchester Community College which offers another AAS degree in veterinary technology. Students are only admitted in the fall and the program requires two years of full-time study and practice. This is a day program only and encompasses four semesters and one summer semester.

This 69-credit program includes courses such as introduction to veterinary technology; animal anatomy and physiology; pharmacology for veterinary technicians; veterinary disease and pathology; small animal nursing; veterinary office practices; anesthetic and surgical procedures for veterinary technicians; and dental techniques.

Students complete two senior lab experiences and two veterinary technology internships. From 2019 to 2021, 68 percent of first-time test-takers from Westchester passed the VTNE.

• Location: Valhalla, NY
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: residents ($2,490 per semester); non-residents ($5,885 per semester)

As a final note, students interested in distance-based vet tech programs can check out the comprehensive online vet tech schools page.

Program Accreditation and Licensing for Vet Techs in New York

It is crucial to ensure that a program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medication Association (AVMA) or has achieved a valid program status from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) prior to enrollment. Graduating from an accredited program is a prerequisite for taking the VTNE.

In order to determine program quality and accreditation status, the AVMA evaluates some of the following areas at vet tech schools in New York:

• Curriculum
• Finances
• Quality of equipment and building
• Staff
• Program outcomes

After completing an accredited program and passing the VTNE, candidates typically apply for licensure. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) provides guidelines for determining who is eligible to receive a license. Here is a checklist of requirements for getting a vet tech license in New York:

• Graduate from an accredited veterinary technician program
• Pass the VTNE
• Pay the $177 licensure fee
• Complete the “certification of professional education” form

The application package should be sent to the following address:
New York State Education Department
Office of the Professions
PO Box 22063
Albany, NY 12201

It should be noted that some students who have not taken the VTNE exam may be eligible for a limited, one-year permit for $50. Also, for those licensed in other states, the Department can choose to “endorse” their license after ensuring they have met all of the New York vet tech licensure requirements. Be sure to check the NYSED website for the full details.

Given the number of job opportunities and quality veterinary technician schools in New York, this can be an excellent state from which to launch a fulfilling career working with animals.